TRUCKEE and#8212; While Nicole Annaloro remains unsure of her coaching future, she learned Wednesday that she has considerable community support in her effort to retain her head coach position with the Truckee High volleyball team.

About 25 people attended the public comments portion of the Board of Education meeting on Annaloro’s behalf, and 12 of them stood at the podium to address the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Board of Trustees.

A mix of current and past Truckee volleyball players, parents and coaches, each was allotted three minutes to plead his or her case as to why the three-year coach should keep her job. Her job is in jeopardy because a district employee, Erika Murphy, has applied for the coaching position.

Murphy said Thursday that she could not comment because she is scheduled to interview for the coaching position next Wednesday, June 10.

Although Annaloro has not resigned or been released from her post, she said she was told at a May 18 meeting with Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources David Inns that because Murphy is a certified teacher with the district, she would be given priority over Annaloro.

Inns told Annaloro to apply for the position as well, which she said she had already done between May 13 and 15, when the job posting was listed on the website edjoin.org. The posting was pulled from the website after the two days, Annaloro said.

Inns did not attend Wednesday’s meeting and was not available for comment.

After the public comments and#8212; which by rule cannot be addressed by the Board if not on the meeting agenda and#8212; Board Member Bill Kraus called for the item to be discussed in closed session on Thursday, June 11. Board Member Kristy Olk requested access to legal counsel for questions during that meeting. The Board said it would report on any action taken.

and#8220;I think it’s an issue that impacts children, and we as a Board would like to find out more information,and#8221; said Kraus, adding that he knew of the issue only on a and#8220;superficial leveland#8221; prior to the meeting. and#8220;(The public comments) raised questions we would like to have answered.and#8221;

Kraus would not elaborate because the issue involves district personnel.

and#8220;As much as I’d like to go into detail, I’d prefer not to because it’s a personnel matter,and#8221; he said Thursday. and#8220;I do feel the Board needs the opportunity to be fully briefed by the staff and legal counsel.and#8221;

While District Superintendent Steve Jennings said he has not been directly involved with the developing coaching controversy, he did confirm that the Board will be looking into the language of an education code that defines who should receive priority in such an instance.

and#8220;We want to do what’s best for the athletes, No. 1, but we’re not in a position to act without (understanding) the legal liabilities,and#8221; he said.

Truckee varsity basketball coach Mike Hoehn was among the dozen who spoke during public comments.

and#8220;I’d like to raise a few points from a coach’s perspective about what kind of precedent this sets,and#8221; Hoehn began, going on to question why any off-campus coach, such as himself, Annaloro and many others at the school, would fundraise year-round for their respective programs and put in countless hours during the offseason if they had to reapply for their job before the start of every season.

Kaylee Waters, who started for the Truckee volleyball team as a junior this past season, was one of five current or past players to address the Board.

and#8220;Nicole put Truckee High School (volleyball) on the map,and#8221; she said and#8220;… It would be unfair if someone took away this great coach.and#8221;

Other players talked of Annaloro’s success in her three years heading the program.

and#8220;It felt really good to know that I’ve been backed by players and parents, and that they want to keep moving forward with what we’ve started at Truckee High,and#8221; said Annaloro, who was in attendance but did not speak.

Annaloro was voted 3A All-State and Northern 3A All-League Coach of the Year each of the past two seasons, both of which the Wolverines finished runner-up in the state championship to Yerington. In 2007 the team posted an overall record of 35-4 and 17-1 against the 3A, while this past season the Wolverines were 28-7 overall and 13-3 in the 3A.